PATH MAYOR TREADS OF EXPANSION INTO K&C IS A DANGEROUS ONE

12.19.50pm GMT Tue 17th Feb 2004

Congestion Charge changes have been announced by Simon Hughes

Speaking at last nights meeting in Kensington and Chelsea of residents opposed to the expansion of the Congestion Charge in to the area, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP said:

"While the scheme in its infancy was a step in the right direction and welcomed by the Liberal Democrats, the path of expansion the Mayor is now treading is a dangerous one.

"Extending the scheme into K&C will be like trying to run before the congestion charge zone can walk. Report after report has highlighted problems with the existing system that need to be ironed out before expansion should even begin to be considered.

"There is clear evidence that an expansion would be costly and not help manage traffic levels along the likes of Kensington High Street."

ENDS

Notes to editor.

Mr Hughes proposed on Monday

· INTRODUCE block purchasing/pre pay of C-charge passes

· GIVE five free goes into the Congestion charge zone

· EXTEND the period for paying at the normal rate up to midnight and for all of the following day

· SCRAP the C-Charge between Christmas and New Year

· HALT any expansion of the scheme into Kensington and Chelsea